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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Tacos

Anyone up for a busy night dinner that is easy and dare I say, a tiny bit exotic, too?

Ahh...slow cooker season is upon us. You know, the time of the year when the air slowly gets cooler and school is in session? The time of the year when you need something brewing in the slow cooker because there's nothing quite like coming home to the smell of dinner cooking, especially on a really busy evening?

This is the time of the year when slow cooker recipes begin to appear weekly on our menu plan. And here's an update of one of family's favorite slow cooker recipes, pork tacos, aka, carnitas.

A quick sear in the morning before you head off to work, school or the day's activities will intensify the flavors. If you aren't up for it, no worries, just pop the whole pork in the slow cooker sans browning.

Heat a
large fry pan on high and once hot, pour oil in the pan and
place pork in the pan to brown. Cook 4-5 minutes, flip and repeat.

While the pork is cooking, slice the onions and jalapenos and put them
in the bottom of your slow cooker.

Once the pork is seared on
both sides, place the pork scored side up in the slow cooker on top of the
onions and jalapenos. Gently insert the garlic cloves into the scored pork.

Sprinkle the top of the
pork with the cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, pepper and chipotle pepper or paprika, if using.

Pour the beer over the pork.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours, high 4-5 hours.

Once
done, pull the pork out of the slow cooker and let cool for about 10
minutes. Shred the pork and serve in corn tortillas with your favorite
toppings. We use pico de gallo, red onion, fresh cilantro, sliced cabbage and fresh lime slices to sprinkle on top. But you can use
whatever floats your boat!

Makes enough for dinner and lots of leftovers, about enough to serve 12.

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About Me

It seems like a distant memory, but years ago I relished making involved, gourmet meals. Now my goal is to create healthy meals that appeal both to me and my husband and the palates of my two Sweet Pea boys. Journey with me through my victories and defeats.